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Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection: A Musical Treasure Trove

Discover a hidden gem in Bologna: a stunningly restored church housing a unique collection of historical musical instruments in playable condition.

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Housed in a 7th-century monastic complex, the Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection in Bologna showcases a remarkable collection of historical musical instruments. Assembled by Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, the museum features over 80 instruments, including harpsichords, spinets, and pianos, many dating back to the 16th century and still in working order. The complex includes a church with original frescoes, a medieval crypt, and a music library.

A brief summary to Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection

  • Wednesday 11 am-6 pm
  • Thursday 11 pm-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-6 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-6 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for the concert schedule, as they host regular free concerts featuring performances on the historical instruments.
  • Bring your own earphones to enjoy the audio guide, which is included with the ticket and available in multiple languages.
  • The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and from August 4th to 31st, so plan your visit accordingly.
  • The museum is located on a narrow side street, Via Parigi, a short walk from Piazza Maggiore.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Piazza Maggiore, walk northwest along Via dell'Indipendenza for about 10 minutes. Turn left onto Via Parigi. The Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection is located at number 5 on the right. The walk is approximately 5 minutes from Piazza Maggiore. No costs are associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus lines stop near Via Parigi. Take bus lines 11, 14, 19, 20, 21, 23, 87, 94, 96, 97, or 99 to the Ugo Bassi stop, which is a 1-minute walk from Via Parigi. A single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 75 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on the bus for €2.30.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Bologna. A taxi ride from the Bologna Centrale train station to Via Parigi, 5, typically costs between €6.90 and €9.60 during the day. The base fare is €3.40 during the day and €6.10 at night, with a price of €1.25 per kilometer.

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Discover more about Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection

The Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection, nestled in the heart of Bologna, offers a unique and captivating experience for music lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Located at Via Parigi, 5, the museum is housed within a complex of buildings with origins dating back to the 7th century, showcasing a blend of architectural styles and historical significance The museum's centerpiece is the Tagliavini Collection, assembled by the Bolognese musician and scholar Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini. The collection features over 80 musical instruments, primarily from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Visitors can marvel at a variety of keyboard instruments, including harpsichords, spinets, clavichords, and pianos, alongside a selection of wind and folk instruments. What sets this museum apart is that many of these instruments are maintained in full working order, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate the sounds of historical music The San Colombano complex itself is a historical treasure. The church, the oldest part of the complex, was built around 616 A.D. on the orders of the Bishop of Bologna, Pietro I. Over the centuries, the complex was owned by various religious orders until its closure during the Napoleonic era. The adjacent Chapel of the Madonna dell'Orazione, built in 1917, houses an image of the Virgin painted by Lippo di Dalmaso. The first-floor Oratory, a jewel of Bolognese art, is adorned with frescoes by the Caracci brothers' disciples, depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ During restoration work, a medieval crypt dating back to the 13th century was discovered, adding another layer of historical depth to the museum. Today, the Museum of San Colombano hosts regular concerts and educational programs, allowing visitors to experience the instruments in live performance. The museum's library also houses a collection of musical texts and documents, providing valuable resources for researchers and music scholars.

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